Center for Puppetry Arts Museum FREE Thursdays

What: Center for Puppetry Arts Museum
When: Thursdays from 1 – 3 pm
Where: 1404 Spring St. NW at 18th
Cost: Free from 1-3 pm on Thursdays

If you saw me filling in for Valerie Hoff on WXIA last week, you know that the Center for Puppetry Arts Museum is free on Thursdays from 1-3 pm. This is a great find. In addition to the collection of puppets from previous shows, the center has an incredible collection of Jim Henson’s puppets.

I’m a child of the 70′s and The Muppet Show was one of the hottest variety shows going. It was the puppet version of Donnie and Marie. Although I was never a big Sesame Street fan as a child, I once played Oscar the Grouch in the third grade chorus. The first person to memorize the songs got to play Big Bird. You can guess how long it took me.

The exhibit at the Center really takes you back. In addition to Big Bird, they also have Bert and Ernie and one of my favorites, the Swedish Chef. I had no idea as a child how innovative Jim Henson was, but the exhibit gives you a history of puppetry and Mr. Henson’s contributions. It’s an interesting journey.

The following is a short video of the Henson gallery. It was shot with permission.